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Re: Northern Industrial ST80i

check on the price for the "optional" tig torch.
You can find a new Thermal Arc 95 on ebay now for right around $250ish, with shipping, and I would have more faith in the TA. But at least N'Tools stands behind their stuff.

Good luck Giggity, welcome to WW and keep us informed as to what you decide and how you like it.

Lincoln SA 200Esab Caddy 160Thermal Arc 201TSMiller Dialarc HF

I don't like making plans for the day because then the word "premeditated" gets thrown around the courtroom....

Re: Northern Industrial ST80i

Looks good, see if you can get a copy of the "Manufactures Warranty" check the fine print, see it it has to be sent back to the Manf for repair and of course where the Manf. is and who pays the freight.

Re: Northern Industrial ST80i

Hi Giggity,

I have a few welders of similar specification: rated 80 amps stick and 100 amps Tig. I measured 70 amps max output on stick. That's enough to handle most 3/32 electrodes but a mite shy for 7018. If you can really get the claimed 90 amps then you'd be set up pretty good. The optional Tig torch kit on sale looks a good deal too.

Insaneride mentioned my trick. I got a second indentical welder and ran both in parallel (+) to (+) and (-) to (-). I doubled my output amps from 70 max to 140 amps - enough to run any 1/8 inch electrode... nice. Then, I picked up a third identical welder and... my max output amps tripled to 210 amps - easily enough to run any 5/32 electrode.

It's all a question of $ and quality. The Northern Tool unit at $150 + $70 for the tig kit is $220 total - a good deal. You can always sell of the machine for $100 later when you move up. The Thermal Arc 95 with Tig kit runs near $400 here - a lot more dollar.

If you afford it and find a good deal, I think it would be better to buy a similar 150 amp machine - a lot more versatile.

Re: Northern Industrial ST80i

Thanks for all the replies. I think I'll hold off as the sale ends today plus I have a friend who is willing to part with an OA setup and an old Miller arc machine. And another guy I know with a tombstone to sell.

Re: Northern Industrial ST80i

Northern Tool has an excellent warranty plan. They try to fix as much as they can in the store. Their extended warranty plans are even better, because it adds on to end of the manufacturers warranty. I purchased a power house generator two years ago with the extended warranty. The generator came with a two year warranty, and with the extended warranty I have a four year warranty. You can also get accidental damage protection just in case it falls of a ladder. I'm not familiar with this machine, but I would not hesitate buying anything from Northern Tool. From my experience Northern Tool stands behind their products.